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How To Create A Postpartum Plan

Mother and Baby

Rights of New Parents

You have the right to:

  1. Protect and cocoon

  2. Invite people in

  3. Feed how you want

  4. Diaper however you want

  5. Ask for help

  6. Have your needs met

  7. Create the rules

  8. Maintain tradition

  9. Seek therapy

  10. Be seen and cared for

  11. Celebrate and be celebrated

Postpartum Statistics

1-in-7 moms and 1-in-10 dads experience postpartum depression

 

Approximately 9% of women experience PTSD after childbirth

 

Approximately 6% of pregnant women and 10% of postpartum women will develop anxiety

 

Between 3-5% of women will experience symptoms of OCD after birth

 

Approximately 70-80% of women will experience "baby blues"

 

If a woman experiences postpartum depression in a previous birth, she is more likely to experience it once again

 

There is an overall success rate of 80% for couples that receive mental health treatment for postpartum depression

Did you know that we have a class to help you prepare for postpartum?

Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression

  • Lack of confidence

  • Sadness

  • Excessive crying

  • Loneliness

  • Worthlessness

  • Low self-esteem

  • Not feeling like yourself

  • Isolation

  • Fear

  • Hopelessness

  • Thoughts of hurting the baby

  • Feeling overwhelmed

  • Low motivation

  • Thoughts of hurting yourself

Risk Factors for Postpartum Anxiety

  • Constant Worry

  • Fear something may go wrong

  • Intrusive/racing thoughts

  • Prior pregnancy loss

  • Inability to delegate

  • Feeling like you're the only one who can care for baby

  • Inability to rest

  • Shortness of breath

  • Feelings of panic

  • Hypervigilence

  • Catastrophizing

  • Traumatic birth/pregnancy

Postpartum Red Flags & Interventions

Red Flags

  • Suicidal or homicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming self or the baby

  • Severe anxiety and panic attacks

  • Confusion, disorientation, hallucinations or paranoia

  • Diminished ability to think clearly, concentrate or make decisions or inability to take care of yourself or baby

  • Depressed mood or severe mood swings

What To Do:

  • In the event of suicidal or homicidal thoughts, go to your local emergency room.

  • Talk with your OBGYN

  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

  • Call Tennessee Reproductive Therapy or your local provider

  • Postpartum Support International www.postpartum.net.     

  • HelpLine: 1-800-944-4773

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Conversation Starters for
Postpartum Couples:

  1. Are we okay with people holding our baby? How long should the visit last?

  2. Who is going to get up with baby in the middle of the night?

  3. When and who do we feel comfortable visiting our baby?

  4. When the baby is asleep, what are our priorities?

  5. How will we support each other's self-care routines?

  6. How will we adjust household responsibilities now that our baby is here?

  7. Who will be present for our baby’s initial checkups?

  8. How can we support each other during the witching hour?

  9. What type of support do you need to see/hear from me?

  10. Who do you feel comfortable calling if we need extra support from friends/family?

  11. How can the co-parent support the feeding parent?

  12. At what point do we need to consider mental health support?

  13. If NICU care is necessary, what do we need?

  14. What boundaries do we need to put into place? (holidays, events, etc.)

  15. How can we supportively communicate constructive feedback to the other?

  16. How long will our maternity/paternity leave be and what will we do for childcare?

  17. How can we budget for all the new expenses that a new family member brings?

  18. How can we prioritize our relationship during this transition?

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